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Leaked Duke Nukem footage tugs at familiar heartstrings
They say time heals all wounds. Then why does it still hurt to think about Duke Nukem Forever? Even its apparent demise failed to bring closure to the big hole in our heart. And now this: new gameplay footage? The latest video remains to be found (resting -- in one piece -- after the break) seem unmistakably to be those of our beloved Duke. Maybe it's the familiar dark, underground environments we've gotten to know in other gameplay videos -- like the Jace Hall Show clip and that leaked animator's video -- that send chills down our spine. Or maybe it's just Duke himself, still out of bubble gum and still kicking ass. (Yeah, it's probably that.) Go on. Head past the break and weep. It's okay!
Duke Nukem fan film trailer to satisfy fans starved for Duke content
Okay, what are the odds this Duke Nukem fan film, by Finnish studio HMC, is actually going to be released? Sure, this movie may not actually be developed by 3D Realms -- but neither are those DS and PSP games, and those aren't out yet either. It seems that Duke Nukem may just be cursed. Which is a shame, because this trailer (after the break) is entertaining in the same way a real Duke game is. It's got a girl and a monster and a cigar-chomping jerk who shoots the monster whilst spouting one-liners. We hope this thing continues production -- and we hope the producers find a voice actor for the title character. [Thanks, Topi]
Blu-ray comes to the iMac... via an Apogee HDMI-to-Mini DisplayPort adapter
Although it's technically possible to use the gorgeous IPS display in the 27-inch iMac as a standalone monitor, the feature's been pretty limited in practice, since it only works with other DisplayPort devices like the unibody MacBooks. That's about to change thanks to Apogee, which just posted up a video demo of an as-yet-unnamed HDMI-to-DisplayPort adapter being used to play Xbox 360, PS3, and -- yes, it's true -- Blu-ray movies on Apple's latest all-in-one. Never thought you'd see the day, did you? Apogee hasn't disclosed pricing or availability yet, but we're told more info is coming soon --we'd guess sometime around CES. Video after the break.
Apogee debuts GiO USB guitar interface and controller for Macs
You're going to need to practice on a lot more than Rock Band or Guitar Hero to fully make use of this rig, but Mac users looking to go a step beyond basic GarageBand recording may want to consider Apogee's new GiO guitar interface and controller, which is fully compatible with GarageBand 09, as well as Logic Studio 9 and MainStage 2. Designed to more or less give you full hands-free recording, the device packs five Stompbox buttons that are dynamically color coded to match software effects, plus five Transport control buttons that are dynamically lit when engaged, not to mention all the ports you'd expect, including a 1/4" instrument input, a 1/4" MIDI Expression pedal input, a headphone jack, and that all-important USB port, which just so happens to also conveniently power the device. You're still going to have to make do with your current setup for a bit longer, however, as this one's only set to launch sometime in September for a fairly reasonable (as far as Apogee products go) $395.
Duke Begins developer revealed to be Gearbox Software
Shacknews reports that the developer of Duke Begins -- the Duke Nukem prequel project being developed not by 3D Realms, but rather by publisher Take-Two and a "well-known videogame developer" -- was, in fact, Gearbox Software. If that name sounds familiar that's because – like coffee shops and mysterious rashes – the Texas-based developer pops up all over the place, whether in reference to the long-overdue Aliens: Colonial Marines; the recently re-skinned Borderlands; or the oft-rumored Halo 4. As revealed by recent court documents, Gearbox was brought on to develop Duke Begins following a 2007 agreement between 3D Realms and Take-Two. In exchange for the rights to make another Duke game, 3D Realms received a cool $2.5 million advance to help fund the ongoing development of Duke Nukem Forever (and, in turn, extend the practice of wondering aloud, "How on Earth can 3D Realms afford to keep making this game?"). 3D Realms claims that the "halted" development of Duke Begins in April 2009 "materially harmed Apogee and/or will necessarily delay the commercial release of the Duke Begins game." They claimed that any such delay in release would "delay any royalty payments ... from sales of the Duke Begins game and prevent Apogee from being able to repay the [$2.5 million] advance when it becomes due in 2012." And now you begin to see where all this talk of lawsuits came from. We've put word into Gearbox and Take-Two and will let you know what we hear.
Court filing reveals 2K Games was developing 'Duke Begins'
Did you seriously think he'd just roll over and die? He's Duke Nukem, guys. We're pretty sure he can't be killed by conventional weapons (such as bankruptcy).This news came in response to last month's Take-Two court filing against Duke Nukem Forever developer Apogee Software, which attempted to recoup loans the publisher had distributed to Apogee -- loans which would have ostensibly been repaid by DNF royalties. Apogee's attorneys responded Friday with a shocking revelation -- in exchange for their support, Apogee gave Take-Two the rights to simultaneously develop another Duke Nukem game. Take-Two tasked 2K Games with said development under the working title Duke Begins.Apogee's defense states that 2K "halted or otherwise canceled all development work by the third-party game developer on the Duke Begins game in April 2009," an action Apogee sees as Take-Two's attempt at, "pressuring Apogee to sell the Duke Nukem franchise rights to Take-Two for less than their true value." With the cat officially out of the bag, we expect to hear more about the Duke's origin story (like, if it's still being developed) in the near future.[Update: Turns out that the mysterious third-party developer working on Duke Begins for Take-Two was none other than Gearbox Software.]
id Software rep 'saddened' by death of Duke Nukem Forever
If you think id Software would gloat openly about the cancellation of its one-time competitor, Duke Nukem Forever, you may be surprised to hear the reaction of Steve Nix, director of business development for id:"For me it was personally sad," he told Videogamer. "I know a lot of people at the studio were really surprised and saddened for sure." He went on to explain the historical connection between the two companies: "We had originally moved to Dallas because Apogee, who morphed into 3D Realms, was our original publisher. So id might not even be in Dallas and a lot of us wouldn't even be working in the games industry if it wasn't for Apogee and 3D Realms."Nix said that he "thought (the news of the cancellation) was a joke when I heard the other day." He also noted that id is currently hiring, and that "There are some really talented guys in (3D Realms) so it very well could happen that some of them end up at id." Overall, it's a pretty measured and sensitive response from the company who popularized "gibs."
Jace Hall says goodbye to Duke Nukem Forever, hello to new footage
Jace Hall, Monolith Productions founder turned web show host and TV/film producer, has gone back through his archives to dig up a minute-and-a-half of previously unseen Duke Nukem Forever gameplay footage. Hall first offered a glimpse at the game in action last June on Crackle.com's aptly-titled Jace Hall Show. The new clip, found at the 7:37 mark of the show's latest episode, features an uncharacteristically silent Duke killing enemies whilst dodging giant, rolling boulders. (And, unfortunately for our friends up North, isn't viewable in Canada.) Now that Hall has bid DNF a fond semi-farewell (after all, it could return!) he can focus his attention on ABC's upcoming reimagining of V, on which he serves as executive producer.
3D Realms store to get overhaul, remastered games
Over at the 3D Realms forums, former employee Joe Siegler has revealed that the company's game store is set to receive a major overhaul. More importantly, Siegler says that he spent his last days at 3D Realms remastering all the games available. This includes packaging all the games with DOSbox (a DOS emulation program for older titles) and making formerly CD-only games available as downloadable titles. Unfortunately, the release date for the remastered catalog is still unknown, but Siegler advises gamers to hold off purchasing any titles until the overhaul takes place, which would imply that it will happen relatively soon.So, if you've got a hankering for some Shadow Warrior, Terminal Velocity or Commander Keen, have patience. Check out a list of all the games that will be available after the break. Read it closely, because 3D Realms could really use your money.
GoG sale isn't forever, classic Duke Nukem bundle discounted
It may be a while until you get your grubby paws on Duke Nukem's latest adventure (if ever), but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to enjoy some irrelevant '90s humor from the silver-tongued action star.Until the end of the day on June 1, Good Old Games is selling both Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition and Duke Nukem Manhattan Project for 25 percent off -- bundled for $8.98. If you've already purchased one of the discounted titles prior to this promotion, GOG is offering a discount on the second title ($1.50 off for $4.49). Time to kick ass, chew bubble gum and remember Duke had a pretty good history.
Apogee and Deep Silver want your best Duke impressions
Tired of hearing about Duke Nukem these past couple of weeks? In all honesty, we're becoming a bit weary of writing about him, but we really couldn't pass this one up. Apparently the folks behind the Duke Nukem Trilogy are looking for a few good actors to do their best Duke impressions and maybe get a chance to "travel around the world representing Deep Silver and Apogee Software, LLC as the new 'official' Duke Nukem."We might not have informed you about the contest had the already existing contestant videos not convinced us otherwise. Women playing Duke? Yep. People who speak English only sometimes playing Duke? You bet! Hilarious? In an American Idol blooper, catching some serious wahjah kind of way. If you're so inclined to enter yourself (though we're wary to encourage that), all you have to do is capture your best Duke impressions on tape and head over to the contest website for entry instructions. We're going out on a limb and suggesting you don't impersonate what Duke does to bosses after taking them out in your entry. We'll leave it at that.
Forever-gate: Take-Two demands Duke Nukem Forever source code in suit
If the development of Duke Nukem Forever was a troubled marriage, welcome to the nasty, drawn-out divorce.Shacknews reports that court documents it obtained from the case of Take-Two Interactive vs. Apogee Software have the former demanding, well, custody of the unfinished game's source code. It also seeks to prevent Apogee from "disclosing, distributing, transferring or selling to any party other than Take-Two any proprietary information related to DNF." In short, Take-Two wants what it claims it paid for, and wants it now. 3D Realms co-founder, Scott Miller, wrote in a comment on Shacknews that the DNF developer "never saw a penny of that money," referring to the $12 million Take-Two says it paid Apogee for publishing rights to the game in 2000.If there's anything positive to be taken away from this litigation situation, it's that Take-Two evidently plans on ensuring a return on its investment in DNF -- possibly to the extent of taking all the game's assets and continuing its development elsewhere.[Via BigDownload]
Take-Two suing Apogee over unfinished Duke Nukem Forever
The game may never be released, but its legacy may live on forever. Duke Nukem Forever, which 3D Realms was supposedly working on from 1997 right up until it closed its doors on May 6, is at the center of a lawsuit filed by its would-be publisher, Take-Two Interactive. But who's left to sue? The still-operating Apogee Software, which created the 3D Realms brand in 1994.According to Bloomberg News, Take-Two alleges in a lawsuit filed May 13 that Apogee "continually delayed the completion date for the Duke Nukem Forever" and "repeatedly assured Take-Two and the video-gaming community that it was diligently working toward competing (sic) development of the PC Version of the Duke Nukem Forever." The suit states that Take-Two paid Apogee a sum of $12 million for the publishing rights to the game. The partnership was extended as recently as 2007, according to details of the case.We've contacted Apogee and Take-Two for comment on the pending suit. Apogee is currently involved with the production of Duke Nukem Trilogy for PSP and Nintendo DS, announced at E3 2008.[Via BigDownload]
'Duke Nukem' dev 3D Realms has shut down [update 4]
Duke Nukem developer 3D Realms has closed its doors, according to Shacknews. The developer was reportedly forced to cease operations due to funding issues, prompting it and Apogee Software Inc. to lay off all staff. Perhaps developing one title for more than a decade wasn't a great strategy.3D Realms was founded by George Broussard and Scott Miller in 1987, but became a household name with Duke Nukem 3D in 1996. While 3D Realms is also known for publishing high profile titles, such as Max Payne, the studio has become famous for developing Duke Nukem Forever for the last 13 years. Joystiq has reached out to 3D Realms and its publishing partner, Take-Two Interactive, for comment. Update: A studio representative has commented on the rumor regarding 3D Realms. Although it isn't a confirmation, it does hint a situation is brewing at the house that built Duke: "Deep Silver and Apogee Software are not affected by the situation at 3D Realms. Development on the Duke Nukem Trilogy is continuing as planned." Update 2: Alan Lewis, Vice President of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs for Take-Two Interactive has sent us an official statement regarding the situation at 3D Realms: "It is the Company's policy to not comment on its contractual relationships, nor do we comment on rumors and speculation. That said, we can confirm that our relationship with 3D Realms for Duke Nukem Forever was a publishing arrangement, which did not include ongoing funds for development of the title. In addition, Take-Two continues to retain the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever."Update 3: 3D Realms webmaster Joe Siegler has confirmed rumors of a 3D Realms shut down are true, posting "It's not a marketing thing. It's true. I have nothing further to say at this time" on the 3D Realms official forum.Update 4: 3DRealms.com and the site's official forum are experiencing issues at this time due to the volume of visitors. The sites have not been removed at this time.
GDC09: Urinal ads, they're so hot right now, urinal ads
As we can scientifically demonstrate, urinal advertisements are the new hidden severed limbs -- which were already the new sacrificed goats. Now, thanks to Duke Nukem, we have another opportunity to feed the beast, spotted in the GDC bathroom.So, yeah, it's not exactly pleasant. But you people say you want the "full GDC experience" and this is the kind of thing that happens. We're sorry. Check it out after the jump.
GDC09: Actual Duke Nukem games on PSP/DS
Apogee's Duke Nukem Trilogy already eclipsed Duke Nukem Forever with its mindblowingly awesome, yet content-free, trailer. But now it has surpassed Forever even more, by existing! And, as if to show off, it's six games. Sort of. As OhGizmo! explains, Duke Nukem Trilogy features three games, which have the same stories, but are presented in a different style on DS than on PSP. The PSP versions are M-rated, with content that will be "tasteful, but it'll still be Duke." The DS versions will be T-rated, and thus toned down a bit in terms of dialogue and gratuitous strippers.The best part? The first game, Duke Nukem: Critical Mass, was actually there! There was a demonstration on both PSP and DS. Try that, Duke Nukem Forever. Try being playable on a game system.
GOG in the Machine: Duke Nukem 3D, more Apogee on the way
Week after week, Good Old Games bring us a bountiful list of memories from our childhood. This week the company's bringing not just Duke Nukem 3D for $5.99, but the announcement that Apogee Software has agreed to distribute through GOG's digital distribution platform. (Wait, does that mean Commander Keen as well?!)From what GOG has confirmed with us, Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold, Blake Stone: Planet Strike, and Rise of the Triad: Dark War are all in the queue for "the upcoming weeks." (So, no Commander Keen then, eh?) If you'd like a refresher on how hilarious and ridiculous hilarculous the Duke can be, check out the modern-classic Duke Nukem Trilogy trailer from last year's E3 after the break.[Thanks, Brent]
Apogee updates on Duke Nukem Trilogy progress
Apogee has responded on their official forums to requests for more info on the upcoming Duke Nukem handheld trilogy. Yes, it seems the games really do exist. We're as surprised as you are. An Apogee representative says that "both the DS and PSP versions of the game are coming along nicely." Adding that "on the PSP, they say the depth of view is the best they have seen to date for that device." So while we're still not sure how the game will play, at least we can be safe in the knowledge that the depth of view will be second to none.Apogee concludes by saying that "we are also including some cool bonus game play features that we haven't spoken about that we feel will enhance the overall way the game is played. That's all we can say for now, other than stay tuned, more info in greater detail is on the way!" We're intrigued to learn more, if only because we've almost forgotten what it's like for a Duke Nukem game to actually see the light of day. Check out the awesome E3 trailer after the break.[Thanks, David B.!]
It's Burgertime to kick ass
The Duke Nukem Trilogy trailer handily won E3 with its intoxicating combination of flying logos, stock images of dudes in gas masks, and slow-motion crotch closeups. Now Data East's arcade classic Burgertime has been given the same expert treatment. Peter Pepper's struggle to make giant hamburgers with his feet while being assaulted by sentient food has never looked so badass.Unlike Duke Nukem Trilogy, we have reason to believe that Burgertime will actually come out (the reason being that it was already released hundreds of times), which makes it that much easier to get hyped.[Via Dot Matrix With Stereo Sound]
Duke Nukem Trilogy for PSP 'more mature, more hardcore'
Despite the ... unique trailer featuring logos dancing around, Apogee insists they won't screw up the ultimate badass' return in the upcoming Duke Nukem Trilogy games. Terry Nagy, CEO of Apogee Software, gave some details about the newest outing of the Duke on the PSP. He started off by stressing immediately that the game will be out for summer 2009, unlike a certain other Duke Nukem game. With the trilogy, Apogee's plan is to have "another Duke game ... on the store shelves as the first one is starting to fall off the shelves." The first game Critical Mass will take place in the future, so the player will have "really cool futuristic weapons" at his disposal. Chain Reaction is set in current times while Proving Ground has Duke traveling back into the past to 1945 as "the Forrest Gump of World War II" and using "period-style weapons." Finally, Nagy reveals that the PSP version is "more mature, more hardcore of gamer, third-person, first-person, top-down scroller type of stuff" and that it is aiming for a Mature rating, as opposed to a Teen rating on the DS. We aren't too optimistic about this game, but then again we've seen basically nothing. Either way, we would avoid the DS version, not because we are fanboys at all, but because Duke himself would never be caught dead playing a Teen game.[Thanks, David B.!]
